How to Transfer a Title of Real Estate From a Parent to a Child

by Lisa Weber

At first glance, it may seem like an easy choice -- transfer the deed of your home to your children and preserve the family home. However, many potential legal and financial problems can arise from such a transaction. Therefore, it is in your best interest to take necessary steps to become completely knowledgeable before signing over the title.

A Complicated Process

Research your state's laws. In some states, owning a home may affect Medicaid benefits. Though the laws vary slightly by state, most require a poverty-level income or less, and less than $1,700 to $2,000 in total assets, including the home, for Medicaid eligibility. Some states will charge an inheritance tax, and others may charge a gift tax.

Research different options. Parents have different ways to transfer the title of their home to their children. They can "gift" it to them, let the children inherit the home after their death, or, if the move is purely financial, sell the home and let the children inherit the profits.

Consult with an estate planner and perhaps an elder-care lawyer. Selling or gifting a house carry many tax implications. Hire a professional who to explain all of the legal ramifications of such a process, including the taxes you or your children must pay, and how this will affect your eligibility for Medicaid.

Sign the deed. The actual transaction requires nothing more than a signature from both the gifter (the parents) and the giftee (the child) and recording the deed. You also will need to sign an affidavit asserting that the transaction is a transfer.

About the Author

Lisa Weber is a freelance writer/editor and former special education teacher. She has a bachelor's degree in journalism and professional writing, and a master's degree in special education. Over the last 15 years, she has written for a variety of newspapers, magazines, and on-line publications.

Photo Credits

Siri Stafford/Lifesize/Getty Images

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Weber, Lisa. "How to Transfer a Title of Real Estate From a Parent to a Child." Pocket Sense, https://pocketsense.com/transfer-title-real-estate-parent-child-5964.html. Accessed 19 November 2018.

Weber, Lisa. (n.d.). How to Transfer a Title of Real Estate From a Parent to a Child. Pocket Sense. Retrieved from https://pocketsense.com/transfer-title-real-estate-parent-child-5964.html

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